evergreen

I like this kitchen countertop photo. The jar, by the way, reads "Evergreen: A symbol for a vigorous young and healthy life!" And yes, that is a box of cereal behind it. Frosted Flakes, to be specific, and it looks like the front panel is touting the health benefits of 9 grains, or 9 vitamins, or maybe 9 different sugars.

Mr. Grumpy

Now there's a guilty mug if ever I saw one!

(It's the perfect time for a bird expert to tell me that this is actually a female... but "Mrs. Grumpy" just doesn't have that sweet ring to it.)

there's beauty everywhere

my avian visitor

See that dark shadow behind the window? I was making dinner the other night, chopping up some red pepper, when I heard a scritch-scratch and noticed it moving along the outside of my window. Honestly, my first thought was, "what, a mouse?! Impossible!"

Then the shadow turned its head so I could see the profile-- and the unmistakable beak.

"Aha!" thought I. "My friends the grumpy birds are back!"

And I went on chopping that pepper, and the bird went on hopping up and down that windowsill.

I wondered if I dare try to snap his picture. Every time I open the front door, some bird or other flies off in a tizzy, so I knew I had to be very quiet about it. I grabbed my camera, removed the cap, turned it on, and set it to Auto, then tiptoed toward the door, which I edged open ever so slowly. I was outside! And the grumpy bird was still on my windowsill.

One shot. A dud, all out of focus.

One more. Success!!

And Mr. Grumpy flew away into the dusk.

One Billion Stories

Over my Easter holiday in Tokyo, I pulled out my camcorder and started recording people's stories for the new Catholic faith and testimony project, OneBillionStories.com. It's a powerful way to do what St. Peter exhorted and "give a reason for the hope that is in" us.

I thought it would be a cinch, but it turned out to be a humbling experience in many ways, not least of which is having to hear myself communicate in Japanese. Speaking is definitely not one of my strengths. But I am grateful that however clumsy an instrument I am, I'm still helping to bring these people's wonderful stories to a wider audience. I believe that they will be found by the people who most need to hear them.

It is also my hope that more permanent Japanese Catholics will be able to continue producing these videos after I leave the archipelago. Just based on my experience, it seems that the vast majority of Japanese Christians are elderly-- and I think it would be a shame not to get as many of their stories as possible while they're still with us.

for your viewing pleasure

New from "Theater of the Word," aka Kevin O'Brien, this is an EWTN dramatization of a debate between Tolkien and C.S. Lewis on myth. (When Lewis was an atheist.) I have to say my favorite O'Brien role is Stanford Nutting, but this was interesting, too.

all the small things

I have a confession to make. I finished decorating only three or four eggs in time for Easter this year. Yesterday, I finally put the final touches on the last blown egg I had. I don't have photos of them yet, because until the good light was gone they were lying in all kinds of awkward positions around the room while their lacquer coats were drying.

Meanwhile, I got to do something I've been wanting to do for two or three months: clean up all the dye!

(Seriously, I have been wanting that. The stark minimalist in me does not like messy lined boxes full of glass jars of egg dye, hanging around my apartment, making nuisances of themselves for months on end.)

As I was wiping out the last vestiges of dye from the jars, the sun broke through the clouds and illuminated the little pile of discarded labels next to the sink. And I just thought, wow. Colors are so amazing.

That's all. Enjoy the little things this week!

down the drain

Tottori was a no-go.

NSK Ltd. was a no-go.

But I trust that the selection committees knew exactly who they were looking for and knew that I wouldn't be a good fit. My job is still out there, and I'm going to keep on looking for it.